Sinead O’Connor Died of ‘Natural Causes’ — What the Term Really Means

On Tuesday, London’s Inner South Coroner’s Court revealed in a statement that Sinéad O’Connor died of natural causes at the age of 56.

The Irish singer’s cause of death has caused some confusion as people often associate the phrase “natural causes” with individuals who die of old age. However, in the UK the terminology is often used as a general statement.

“There is no real definition of natural – it just has its common meaning. It is anything that is not unnatural,” the Society of Coroners of England and Wales tells PEOPLE in a statement. “A death is said to be due to natural causes if the evidence shows that it is probable (ie more likely than not) that the cause of death was the result of a naturally occurring disease process [full] a course.”

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Sinead O’Connor.

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Sinéad O’Connor died of ‘natural causes’, London coroner says

Similarly, medical professionals in the United States explain that death by “natural causes” is also unclear. This simply means that it was not a single medical condition that caused the death, but a combination of factors.

dr. Erin McNeely, an internal medicine physician at Spectrum Health in Michigan, said Health that when “natural causes” appears on the death certificate, it usually means that the person did not die in an accident or due to a single medical condition.

“‘Natural causes’ is a very broad, broad term that can be anything that was not an accident or force majeure,” McNeely explained.

“It’s only and solely due to natural causes, the natural process of disease — infection, cancer, heart disease, all those things that will take us down the road at some point,” Dr. David R. Fowler, president of the National Association of Medical Examiners, said. to CNN, noting that external causes such as suicide, homicide or an accident such as a car accident or drug overdose have been ruled out.

The death of O’Connor, whose legacy of hits like “Nothing Compares 2 U” was complicated by her outspoken commitment to various social issues and a range of mental health issues, was confirmed by her family on July 26, 2023.

“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Sinéad,” her family said in a statement to RTE and the BBC. “Her family and friends are devastated and have asked for privacy at this very difficult time.”

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education